The Maldives is a place where people come to relax and unwind. Whether you're crossing the coral reefs on a glass-bottomed boat or taking a nap in your private bungalow over the water, the chances of relaxing to the fullest are always high. Here's everything you need to know to plan the perfect vacation in the Maldives

The crystal clear water and snow-white beaches of the Maldives attract about 1.5 million tourists every year. Most travelers come here to experience the peaceful island life and enjoy the most beautiful scenery. Whether you spend your vacation actively exploring coral reefs on a glass-bottom boat or simply relaxing in your private overwater bungalow, the chances of coming home disappointed are slim to none. Especially if you plan everything well. Here are some tips that will make your trip to the Maldives perfect.

When is the best time to go to the Maldives?

The weather in the Maldives varies depending on the season, in the Maldives there are four of them: 2 long (dry and wet season) and 2 transitional and short (transition from dry to wet season and from wet to dry season, with a relative change of monsoons). The dry season lasts from December to March, and the rainy season from May to October. Transitional seasons are November and April.

The best months for traveling to the islands are February and March, because during this period the sky is clear, there is little precipitation, and the sea is calm. The cheapest tours can be purchased during the rainy season, especially since the islands are beautiful even during this period.

The temperature in the Maldives is stable throughout the year: 30/31°C during the day and 27/28°C at night, the water temperature throughout the year is 28 °C.

What to take with you to the Maldives?

In the Maldives, you definitely can't do without a swimming suit, hat, t-shirt, sunscreen and mosquito repellent. The sun is very active here, so appropriate protection is necessary not only for children. It is important to use sunscreens with a high filter and to avoid being in the sun during the hottest hours.

You can not burden your suitcase with water swimming equipment, because almost every resort has an area where you can rent everything you need.

● What medicines should I take with me to the Maldives?

When traveling to the Maldives, you should make sure that you have antipyretic drugs, which will be useful for sunstroke, and ear drops, because it is worth washing your ears well with fresh water every time you leave the sea. Moisturizing cream after tanning will also be useful.

If you are traveling with a child, it is advisable to add: fermented milk products, small enemas (a change in diet can cause some problems), a broad-spectrum antibiotic, anti-vomiting medicine, general antihistamines and mosquito repellents.

Where to stay in the Maldives?

In recent years, vacation in guest houses - small hotels, which are usually located on fishing islands - has become increasingly popular in the Maldives. In addition to accommodation, tourists can get food, excursions and the opportunity to relax in an exclusive Maldivian style, in close contact with the local population, which will allow you to explore their culture and traditions.

Rest in a boarding house is usually cheaper than in a hotel, but it has its own characteristics. The main one is the ban on wearing revealing clothes. The Maldives is a Muslim country, you can stay here in swimwear and open clothes only in specially designated areas or on the beach, but not all guest houses have their own beaches. Also, on the islands where guest houses are located, it is forbidden to drink alcohol, and food is served at a specific time. Living next to the local population, you should respect their culture and observe their traditions.

For the comfortable rest of tourists, most guest houses organize daily excursions to deserted beaches, usually they are free.

Many guest houses are located on large islands with about two thousand inhabitants, so you can encounter bicycles, cars and other inconveniences of small "cities". When booking accommodation in the Maldives, it is advisable to choose smaller islands where you can move around on foot.

Also, pay attention to the duration of transfers, in some cases the journey from the airport to the guest house can take 5-6 hours.

An alternative to guest houses are hotels of various star ratings for any budget. It can be just a hotel located on a paradise atoll, where the only thing to do is to enjoy the nature that surrounds you, ending with multi-star facilities, complete with even an ice rink overlooking the sea. About one hundred and fifty hotel complexes operate in the Maldives.

How to get to the Maldives?

● By plane to Male

The Maldivian archipelago is located on the equator, about 700 km southwest of Sri Lanka, and about a ten to twelve hour flight from Europe.

Many airlines fly to Male: Qatar, Emirates, British, Etihad, Aeroflot, Air France and Lufthansa.

The cheapest airlines that fly to the Maldives are Air Turks and Aeroflot. Also, if you book in advance, you can come across good prices from Arab air carriers.

● After arriving at Male Airport, you need to take one more step to reach your destination, unless you decide to spend your vacation in the capital of the Maldives.

There are four types of transfers available in the Maldives:

- Local ferry - most often you can use this transport only if you stayed in one of the guest houses. Ferries do not go to most resorts.

- Speed Boat - These vehicles can be used to reach the atolls around Malé, as the trip takes less than an hour.

- Seaplane is definitely the most expensive way to get to resorts, but also the fastest and most exciting. Boarding on these small planes is arranged by transport companies that collect groups based on the final destination at the airport of arrival of intercontinental flights.

- Domestic flight and speed boat - this transfer can be quite complicated, but the advantage of this combination is the price, which is much lower than the cost of seaplanes. A small airport serving domestic flights is located within walking distance of Malé International Airport. Once you land on a certain island, you will be transferred to a boat that will take you to your resort.

Food options are available in the Maldives

There are many different dining options available in Maldives hotels:

- All inclusive - the price includes any meal, drinks (even alcohol, with some exceptions), free water in the villa, as well as various snacks. Some all-inclusive packages also include additional entertainment or spa discounts.

- Full board - three main meals and sometimes soft drinks (including water). Full board can be more convenient when traveling with a child, as "all inclusive" is significantly more expensive.

- Half board includes only breakfast and dinner. If you prefer a late breakfast, lunch can be replaced with a fruit snack.

You can also easily find vegan and vegetarian menus at the resort.

The most popular resorts in the Maldives

The most popular among tourists are the islands located in the extreme north and south of the archipelago. Ja Manafaru is a paradise for lovers of Arabian luxury, while the resort of Amari Havodda is chosen by travelers who dream of pristine lagoons and kilometers of beaches. The Kandolhu island of the Maldives also deserves the attention of tourists - it is a small island located in the center of the atoll, in a marine reserve.

Rules of entry to the Maldives

The visa policy in the Maldives is very lenient. You do not need a visa to enter the Maldives if your purpose is tourism. Citizens of all countries can obtain a Maldivian visa on arrival. It is free. The permitted period of stay is up to 30 days. Citizens of Russia and India can stay in the Maldives for up to 90 days without a visa.

List of documents for obtaining a visa at the airport:

● Machine Readable Passport (MRP) or Passport with Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) valid for at least another 6 months.

● Confirmation of payment for accommodation in the Maldives (for example, a hotel reservation).

● Confirmation of sufficient funds to cover the entire stay in the Maldives.

● A ticket for a return flight to your country or a ticket for the next flight.

Health care in the Maldives

There are no regional diseases in the Maldivian Islands that would pose a threat to tourists. Hotel staff also follow hygiene rules.

However, the level of health care facilities is far from European. Some islands have doctors who can help you with a minor illness. In more severe cases, you can be taken to the largest public hospital in Male IGM or to the private clinic Adk.

Patients are also often transferred to hospitals in Colombo, Sri Lanka, about an hour and a half flight from the capital of the Maldives. Therefore, before traveling to the Maldives, it will be advisable to take out a travel insurance policy that covers the costs of medical care and possible transportation of the patient by plane to another country or repatriation.

The Maldivian Islands are a paradise on Earth that will give you fabulous memories and pleasant sensations. We hope our tips will help you plan the perfect trip.

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Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Checklist for obtaining a visa and necessary documents in the Maldives;

Travel and medical insurance for foreigners in the Maldives;

Insurance for foreign students in the Maldives.

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More articles on the topic:

Travel guide to the Maldives for 2023-2024: Destinations, best time and guide.